The decision by the government to reduce the Covid-19 alert level to one (outside of Auckland) has allowed the Integrity Homes Challenge Wanaka 2021 festival to go ahead.

“I am pleased for the staff who have put so much work in and the competitors who have trained so hard,” race director Bill Roxburgh said.

“The weather is going to be great and our new location is incredible - the news this afternoon comes as a huge relief to many people.”

Challenge communications and marketing manager Sophie Luther said the Challenge team is ready to welcome athletes from tomorrow morning (Thursday February 18) onwards onto the event site at Glendhu Bay.

However, she highlighted that government Covid-19 travel guidelines dictate that people travelling from Auckland to the event bring their alert level two status with them and therefore cannot attend an event with more than 100 people. 

“Our event will have over 800 athletes on Saturday 20th February, so we urge people to abide by these guidelines for everyone’s safety. We realise this will be disappointing for some athletes but we are committed to keeping New Zealand safe and following government guidelines,” she said.

The guidelines state that if you’re living in alert level two, you can travel anywhere in New Zealand but you must “do it in a safe way”.

You legally must wear a face covering when travelling to, from or through an alert level two region on public transport, including flights.

The Challenge Wanaka team is working with the government to clarify the status of Auckland athletes and the guidelines they need to adhere to, Sophie said.

The Junior Challenge will take place on Thursday and Friday. PHOTO: Sean Beale Photography

Tomorrow (Thursday February 18) approximately 250 competitors (intermediate and adaptive) and 380 secondary schools and Junior Puzzling World Intermediate Challenge athletes will take part in the Challenge Wanaka Adaptive Triathlon, the Mitre10 Secondary Schools Triathlon, and the TRI NZ Suzuki Junior Series Triathlon.

On Friday (February 19) approximately 940 competitors will take part in the Puzzling World Junior Triathlon, and on Saturday (February 20) - the main event - more than 800 competitors will compete in the Challenge Wanaka Half and the Garth Barfoot Aqua Bike.

Find more information here.

Sophie said the Challenge team is happy to answer questions via email or in person at the event site at Glendhu Station Woolshed, Glendhu Bay.